Colic generally occurs within the first few months of an infant’s life and can last up to 12 months of age. Typically, he or she appears to be a normal baby other than constant crying and symptoms of distress, such as cramping and moaning for long periods of time with no viable cause. The medical profession defines colic by using the “Rule of 3’s”: a normal healthy baby shows periods of intense crying / fussing lasting more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, for more than 3 weeks.
Chiropractic addresses colic from a structural standpoint. Birth can be just as hard on the baby as it is on mom because of the stresses placed on the spine during delivery. A chiropractic evaluation will include a detailed history of the pregnancy and delivery, as well as an examination of the baby’s spine and cranial bones. Sometimes subtle misalignments occur, which can put abnormal pressures on the nerves exiting the spinal column. Because the nervous system controls all functions in the body, including digestion and bowel function, our job as a chiropractor is to relieve that pressure put on the nerve to help the body function at its highest level.
